6 Debates in Skin Prepping

Experts and evidence clear the way for straightforward protocols.

PROBLEM WITH PREPPING Where protocol recommendations conflict and products abound, there's sure to be practice confusion.

We can all agree that skin prepping is a key early step to reducing surgical site infections. After that, let the debates begin. Which skin prep is the most effective — povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine or iodophor? How best to apply it? Is pre-op hair removal necessary? And what about pre-op showers? Let's have a look at the questions — and attempt to arrive at answers — for each step of the prepping process.